Saturday, August 11, 2012

Also known as the Mordor meme, the statement “One does not simply walk into Mordor” is an unforgettable line by Boromir in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, a 2001 epic fantasy film. Images macros all over the Internet often use either the scene where the character originally speaks the line or the fictional location Mordor.

In the scene, the Council of Elrond discusses how the One ring must be destroyed by throwing it in the fiery chasm of Mount Doom, to which Boromir rebuffs.

One Does Not Simply Walk Into Mordor – Origin of Meme

Elrond: The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. The ring must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this.Boromir: One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly.

Snowclone Variants

The word walk is usually replaced with another verb to better suit with the image. Mordor may also be substituted in images where the location is the relevant subject. An early example of this variation is found in Something Awful.

The Mordor meme remains popular even to this day. In 2006, internet humor blog My[confined]Space posted a failed Telnet connection to Mordor whereas, in 2007, I Can Has Cheezburger puts up an image of Boromir riding a big cat:

Google Maps Easter Egg

Even Google has its own Mordor easter egg in its Maps service. If you get walking directions from The Shire to Mordor, the cautionary advice will say “One does not simply walk into Mordor,” instead of the usual “This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.”

Best of the Mordor Meme

Yes, another PvZ game is coming out this year, but not the sequel you want. Actually, since the first game launched, developer PopCap Games have sent out a lot of game teasers which merely revealed availability of the original Plants vs Zombies game in other platforms (Xbox 360, Chrome, etc.) and not the much-awaited sequel. Still, I have my fingers crossed for a PvZ 2 release soon. And by soon, I mean between 2011 and 2020. We waited for more than a decade for Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2, so why not this too?

So what’s the latest thing PopCap has for its zombie fanatics? Drum roll please…

It’s PvZ Presents: Talking Zombatar! I repeat, this is not the pseudo-tower defense game you’ve all been waiting for. This is just another potential cash cow for the game dev while they are still brainstorming as to how to make the true sequel a refreshing experience. Seriously, does it take that long?

Anyway, this app for the iOS/Android lets you have your very own pet zombie. And really, who doesn’t want a pet zombie? I’m sure everyone loves an undead chained in their backyard constantly gnawing and gnashing, with the occasional groans of “Zombie kill… Zombie hungry for brains…”

The Zombatar minions, however, are 3D zombie characters that you can interact with a la Tamagotchi. You have a variety of shirts, pants, hair, and shoes to dress up your pet. There are also facial features and cool dance steps to boot. After you’re done pampering your pet, you can then show him off at social networks by adding him on your own pics and vids, complete with animation.

To make it feel like an actual game (it’s really not), you can interact with your pet. Poke the mindless creature with your finger and he’ll react in a jerking way. You can even talk to him and he’ll repeat what you just said in a Zombie-ish speech.

PvZ Presents: Talking Zombatar

And lastly, just like the wait with Plants versus Zombies 2, you’ll have to hang on until later this year for this app’s release. It will be free, except for the in-app purchases you’ll have to make to get the coolest outfit for your zombie. They deserve the best, don’t they?